Move for Declaration of New Dogma

VIDAL JOINS MOVE FOR DECLARATION OF NEW DOGMA
By Leslie Ann G. Aquino

Manila Bulletin, February 17, 2008

Archbishop of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has joined Catholic Church leaders in the world in urging other prelates to call upon Pope Benedict XVI to declare a fifth Marian dogma that would “proclaim the full Christian truth about Mary.”

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, together with the Cardinals Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi, India; Luis Aponte Martinex, emeritus of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Varkey Vithayathil of Ernakulam Angamaly, India; and Ernesto Corripio y Ahumada, emeritus of Mexico City, urged other prelates in the world in a letter to support them by asking the Pontiff to proclaim Mary as “the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the co-redemptrix with Jesus the Redeemer, Mediatrix of All Graces with Jesus the one Mediator, and Advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race.”

“We believe the time is opportune for a solemn definition of clarification regarding the constant teaching of the church concerning the Mother of the Redeemer and her unique cooperation in the work of Redemption, as well as her subsequent roles in the distribution of grace and intercession for the human family,” they said in their petition, a portion of which was posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

The cardinals said they are hoping that such a move would “start an in-depth worldwide dialogue on Mary’s role in salvation for our time.”

Anticipating the argument that a new dogma could affect ecumenical dialogues by reinforcing the fears of Protestants about Catholic attitudes towards Mary, the cardinals said that a clear presentation of Catholic beliefs could be a “service clarification to other religious traditions.”

The English translation of the letter, including the original Latin text of the “votum” or petition, formulated in 2005, was presented formally to the Pope by Cardinal Telesphore in 2006. it was released by the secretariat of the five cardinals, co-sponsors of the conference on “Marian Co-Redemption,” held in Fatima, Portugal in 2005.

Plenary Indulgence

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France, Pope Benedict grants a special plenary indulgence to anyone who would visit the church or grotto of our Lady of Lourdes on February 2-11, 2008. But please note that plenary indulgence is granted under 3 conditions:

1. Sacramental Confession

2. Eucharistic Communion

3. Prayer for the intention of the Pope

It is further required that ALL attachment to sin EVEN VENIAL SIN is absent Here's a link for further information on this topic. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=11178.

The National Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes is located along Kanlaon Street corner Amoranto Street (formerly Retiro) Quezon City.

Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

The relics arrived 15 January 2008 and will stay in the country for two months (up to March 2008).

Below are the places the holy relics will visit till March:

Jan 15-19 Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Villamor Pasay City

Jan 20-21 Our Lady of All Nations, Villamor Pasay City

Jan 21-22 Navy-Sto. Nino Chapel, Bonifacio Naval Station

Jan 22-23 Army-St. Michael Chapel Fort Bonifacio

Jan 23-24 Camp Crame-St. Joseph Chapel

Jan 24-25 Camp Aguinaldo-St. Ignatius Military Cathedral

Jan 25-27 Diocese of Cubao

Jan 28-30 Diocese of Balanga, Bataan

Jan 31- Feb 1 Diocese of TarlacFeb 2-5 Vigan Ilocos Sur

Feb 6-7 Diocese of Malolos

Feb8-20 Metro Province of Lipa, Batangas, Mindoro, Lucena and Gumaca Diocese

Feb 21-23 Archdiocese of Palo, Leyte

Feb 23-24 Diocese of Naval

Feb 24-27 Archdiocese of Cebu

Feb 27-March 1 Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol

March 1-4 Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo

March 4-7 Diocese of Baoclod

March 7-8 Malacanang

March 8-10 Manila Cathedral

March 10-13 Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City